Should i wait to carry.

This is a discussion on Should i wait to carry. within the Concealed Carry Issues & Discussions forums, part of the Defensive Carry Discussions category; I got my permit in the mail a few days ago and I have to wait a couple weeks to buy my carry gun. Right ...

Should i wait to carry.

I got my permit in the mail a few days ago and I have to wait a couple weeks to buy my carry gun. Right now i have a Ruger GP100 .357 mag and i do have an over the shoulder holster i can use to conceal it with a jacket.I do not have any defensive loads to use at the moment. Should i wait to get my carry firearm to carry any more?. I suppose i could buy some defensive loads if i can find them. It would be hell if i had to use it and i shot through someone into bystanders.

I use .38 hollow points in my .357 Smith & Wesson Model 60. .38s are good enough at close carjack-attack or parking lot range. I assume that your Ruger can use them too? Damn that is a tempting little fun gun that is cheaper than a Smith and just as shiny.

I agree with what others have said..."carry what you have". Another thing to think about. Even after getting your carry gun "in a few weeks", you will not be able to start carrying it that day. Your new firearm will need a break in period before you are comfortable that it will be reliable. Plus... you need to figure out which SD ammo your gun likes and will throw downrange with 100% reliability before it should strapped to your waist.

So for now, carry the .357 with good SD loads or the less kicking .38+p.

I got my permit in the mail a few days ago and I have to wait a couple weeks to buy my carry gun. Right now i have a Ruger GP100 .357 mag and i do have an over the shoulder holster i can use to conceal it with a jacket.I do not have any defensive loads to use at the moment. Should i wait to get my carry firearm to carry any more?. I suppose i could buy some defensive loads if i can find them. It would be hell if i had to use it and i shot through someone into bystanders.

It's really a question only you can answer. Carrying a pistol is a big responsibility and you should be competent with your firearm for SD purposes. That includes having the right skills, the right ammo, the right mindset, etc. I think it is honorable to decide not to carry when you think (for whatever reason) you are not prepared to do so properly. Though you'll often hear the slogan "it is better to have one and not need it than to need it and not have it," it is just a slogan and, as all slogans go, doesn't replace critical thinking.